Tideway to Brentford

On October 24th, the Wednesday day of the half-term week, we left the non-tidal Thames and went back to the Grand Union at Brentford. Passage was booked for 3 o'clock at high tide so we had a leisurely cruise down to Teddington Lock where we had lunch.

Enjoying lunch in the sun

Moored up at the lock

Once again the weather was kind with clear blue skies and lots of sun. Unlike the passage upriver this was at a full-moon with spring tide. The difference was marked with the tide taking the water level over the banks near Richmond.

As we left the lock with another narrow boat that was going down to their moorings at Chelsea Harbour, a gaggle of boats coming up on the tide from Brentford arrived. This included the former GUCC working-boat Dover that was featured some time back in a TV series.

Passing NB Dover at Teddington

Just a little downstream is the obelisk marking the border between the Port of London Authority and the old Thames Conservancy.  I've reported about the monument before (2008) - but from the bank.

Thames Conservancy/ Port of London marker near Teddington

Thames full to the brim at Richmond Hill

Passed by a PLA Cutter near Richmond

Richmond Bridge

Richmond

Twickenham

It was another delightful passage but as we got closer to Brentford the tide began to kick-in. It was first noticeable as we passed some buoys but then we definitely began moving more quickly.  As always the turn into Brentford created interest. The entrance to the Grand Union is not very noticeable and you have to watch closely to spot it. Also the maneuver turning across the stream usually requires some power and this time was no exception; but we also had to cope with some racing eights and their coaching launches. 

Passing some large vessels at Brentford

We had a warm welcome from the CRT lock keeper at the Thames Lock but by then the light was beginning to fade. We made it up through the automated Gauging Lock which had its own clean air initiative.

CRT's clean air initiative at Brentford

The mooring situation in Brentford basin was dire. No free spaces because nearly all berths are either 14 days or winter moorings. A developer wanting to sell posh flats has also taken out some spaces to install a pontoon with no rings and a sign saying No Mooring. The idea appears to be to make those visiting the show flat (basically a temporary box) avoid looking out over unsightly boats. Shades of what happened to the visitor moorings in Paddington Basin, Mind you some of the boats moored up on the 14 day moorings by our reckoning had been there over a month. After some persistence we finally double-berthed (breasted-up) against the inspection launch Peggy May who had come up the Tideway to Teddington with us earlier in the month.

Our overnight mooring at Brentford

In the evening we visited the excellent The Weir which is nearby and had a farewell early dinner with the family. A very enjoyable meal to end the day and our Thames Cruise. It was back to Grand Union locking in the morning.